Wu, O’Neill nab NBC gigs

Execs to head studio, network casting divisions

NBC has found some new lead players to head up its studio and network casting divisions, tapping Grace Wu and Steven O’Neill for top posts.

Wu has been named senior VP of casting at Universal Media Studios, joining the studio from sister net NBC.

Wu will be in charge of casting for all of the studio’s scripted series for broadcast and cable. She’s returning to the studio after a one-year stint at the network, and the move reunites her with UMS prexy Katherine Pope.

During her eight-year tenure at the Peacock, Wu has had a hand in casting projects such as “Bionic Woman,” “Life” and “The Starter Wife,” as well as episodes of “Friends” and “Just Shoot Me.”

Wu replaces longtime Peacock studio casting exec Nancy Perkins, who has left to co-produce a documentary. Perkins spent 14 years at NBC’s studio arm, playing a role in the casting of the “Law & Order” skeins, “House,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Heroes.”

Stepping in for Wu at NBC Entertainment is O’Neill, who has been upped to senior VP of casting at the net. He’ll report to Marc Hirschfeld, exec VP of casting for NBC Entertainment.

O’Neill joins the network from UMS, where he had been VP of casting. Before relocating to Los Angeles in 2006, O’Neill spent nine years heading up Gotham casting for the Peacock.

Meanwhile, as part of the overall casting exec shuffle, Teri Fiddleman has joined UMS as director of casting, reporting to Wu.